But now we’ve got our first confirmation that something is indeed in the works to mark next year’s 40th anniversary, courtesy of film director Tim Pope, the man behind some of The Cure’s most iconic music videos (“Close To Me,” “The Love Cats”) and the full-length concert film “The Cure in Orange.”

Pope started dropping hints on Twitter on Nov. 26 when he tweeted a photo — featured at the top of this page — that showed the director standing with the members of The Cure on the set of the “Lullaby” video (with Smith in full “spiderman” makeup), and the caption, “Odd man out?”

A few days later, Pope tweeted “BIG ANNOUNCEMENTS COMING SOON,” which he followed up on Friday with the confirmation that one of the projects he’s working on for 2018 involves The Cure, and “will be with the full participation of Robert.” He added that, “suffice to say it will be a 40th anniversary project.”

“I’ll cut the cryptic crap soon, certainly before Christmas, but wanted to hint a little bit about next year’s plans on The Cure project because I am excited! Be great to work with my old chums, as we go so far back. Going to be a bumper year for the 40th anniversary!”

Pope’s longtime partnership with The Cure began with 1982’s video for “Let’s Go to Bed,” and continued through the ’80s and ’90s. He was behind all of the group’s best-known clips, including “Inbetween Days,” “Lovesong” and “Friday I’m in Love.” He even recorded a single, “I Want to Be a Tree,” with the band in 1984. He re-teamed with The Cure in 2013, following the group — with his cameras — on the group’s Latin America tour for a film that has yet to surface.

Being the kind-hearted person I am, I can confirm one of my upcoming projects next year is with The Cure with whom I have worked since 1981. This will be with the full participation of Robert. Updates when I can, but suffice to say it will be a 40th anniversary project.

I’ll cut the cryptic crap soon, certainly before Christmas, but wanted to hint a little bit about next year’s plans on The Cure project because I am excited! Be great to work with my old chums, as we go so far back. Going to be a bumper year for the 40th anniversary!